Rockford Rescue Mission is recognized as the region’s primary provider of assistance to the homeless,
near-homeless, addicted and working poor in the Rock River Valley.
Rockford Rescue Mission shares hope and help in Jesus’ name to move people from homelessness and despair toward personal and spiritual wholeness.
Hello and welcome to Rockford Rescue Mission!
In 2022, we will mark 58 years of serving the homeless and hurting in our community and region. Sadly, homelessness and addiction remain significant pain points in Rockford. The pandemic has only intensified this, while challenging our staff and community not only to persevere, but to prayerfully innovate.
While Rockford Rescue Mission has changed significantly since 1964, our mission never changes: We share hope and help in Jesus’ name to move people from homelessness and despair toward personal and spiritual wholeness. Our Crisis Centers provide food and shelter to hundreds of men, women and children each day. Our Life Recovery Programs offer long-term, Christ-centered help and hope for men and women struggling with addiction, domestic violence and other desperate circumstances.
We believe in “whole person” care — always with Christ at the center. To that end, we offer an amazing range of services that people usually don’t equate with a rescue mission. These include:
Your prayer, financial and volunteer support make all of this possible. Our Mission residents and guests feel blessed and encouraged, knowing they have neighbors, churches and businesses standing beside them and supporting their recovery. If you haven’t already, please consider partnering with us. Your impact will last for eternity.
Gratefully,
Ann Dittmar, Chair
Attorney: Guyer & Enichen P.C.
David Davitt, Vice Chair
Attorney: Schlueter Ecklund & Davitt
Doug Warren, Treasurer
Trust Officer: Midland States Bank
Char Remer, Secretary
Retired: School Administrator
Ronald Billy, Jr.
Architect: 1919 Architects
Laura Ortiz
Retired: ComEd Human Resources
Warren Slabaugh
President: Heartwood Creations
Noel Sterett
Attorney: Dalton & Tomich
Stan Valiulis
President: Sub-Source
Rev. Robert David Aldridge
Retired Presbyterian Pastor
Rev. Peder Carlson
Retired Presbyterian Pastor
Rev. Gordon E. Hanstad
Retired Baptist General Conference Pastor
Pastor Lee McClanathan
Retired Pastor
Richard Todd
CEO, Todd Transit
The Launch of Hope Place
2020: As an essential service during the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, the Mission perseveres and innovates. For the first time ever, all community meals and the Thanksgiving Feast and Christmas Banquet are served to-go. The Restoration Café and the Remade shop combine as Nettie’s Mercantile, on the site of the former Restoration Cafe.
2021: As the pandemic goes on, periodic quarantines and lockdowns for portions of the Mission continue to keep residents, guests, volunteers and staff members safe. The Life Recovery Program meets requirements and standards as a quality program provider of the Genesis Process. The Life Recovery Program achieves a success rate of 63 percent. CEO Sherry Pitney is elected vice president of Citygate Network’s Great Lakes District.